• Source:JND
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Bengaluru News: Bengaluru has emerged as the third most violent metropolitan city in India, after Delhi and Mumbai, according to the latest Crime in India 2023 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The city has shown the steepest increase in violent offences over the past three years, marking a 47 per cent jump between 2021 and 2023.

Where Bengaluru Stands

In 2023, Bengaluru reported 3,528 cases of violent crime. Delhi topped the list with 11,014 cases, while Mumbai followed with 4,750. Other metros recorded lower numbers, with Hyderabad at 1,483, Chennai at 973 and Kolkata at 919.

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What Counts As Violent Crime

The NCRB includes murder, rape, kidnapping and abduction, attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity, arson and rioting under violent crime. These offences are often seen as indicators of safety levels in urban areas.

Bengaluru registered 219 murders in 2023, higher than Chennai’s 132 and Hyderabad’s 148, though below Delhi’s 500 and Mumbai’s 300. The city also reported 277 rape cases, more than Chennai (98) and Hyderabad (164) but far fewer than Delhi (1,210).

Kidnapping and abduction cases stood out, with 1,089 incidents in Bengaluru, the second highest after Delhi’s 5,600. Hyderabad reported 713 such cases and Chennai 498. Robberies followed a similar pattern: Delhi recorded 2,917 while Bengaluru reported 1,123, ahead of other southern metros.

Experts Point To Urban Pressures

Criminologists caution against direct comparisons, noting that improved reporting and online complaint systems may have contributed to the higher figures. However, they also highlight Bengaluru’s rapid growth, migrant inflow and strained infrastructure as factors linked to rising crime.

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Contrast With Other Metro Cities

While Bengaluru’s numbers have gone up, neighbouring Chennai has reduced violent crime by one-third in three years. Hyderabad has recorded a smaller rise, while Kolkata continues to report fewer than a thousand cases annually. Nationally, violent crime figures have remained steady at around 4.3 lakh over the past two years.

Impact On Residents

For Bengaluru residents, the data mirrors frequent reports of chain-snatching, street robberies and sexual assaults. Police say the increase also shows improved reporting. Urban experts, however, stress the need for stronger public safety measures such as better street lighting, wider CCTV coverage, regular patrolling and community policing.